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There are so many things to be thankful for right now – although my family and friends definitely top the list – good food is up there as well, and of course my job and my wonderful hobby, my blog. I also want to thank my readers for being there and encouraging me to keep going. When it is late and I am tired, and all I want to do is go to bed, it actually helps knowing that if I spend the time to post something, there is at least someone out there reading.

This year for Thanksgiving, I am redefining simplicity. We are not hosting a bunch of people, so we are keeping it simple. Turkey, gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes, roasted green beans and delicate squash. It wasn’t until today when I realized that I didn’t think about appetizers. Fortunately, I have plenty of this and that in the pantry that will go perfectly with cocktails. So, even though tomorrow should be simple, I decided that I couldn’t let the weekend go without getting trying out these Spinach Puffs I read in Bon Appetit. I made them to go with some soup I made tonight – which was delicious (more on that in another post) – and they were a huge hit. They were super simple, looked beautiful, and tasted amazing. I could have eaten the spinach filling by itself – but surrounded by puffed pastry – what could be better? They would make a great last-minute appetizer for any occasion.

I hope you are all redefining Thanksgiving in your own way – whatever that may be. And, if you are reading this and just realized that you have no idea what you are making for your appetizer – you can thank me. Happy Thanksgiving!!

Preparation

Using your hands, squeeze spinach until dry, forcing out as much water as possible (too much water will make for a soggy filling; you should have about 2/3 cup well-drained spinach). Mix spinach and next 5 ingredients in a medium bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper. In a small bowl, beat 1 egg to blend; fold into spinach mixture.

Cut puff pastry into 3 equal strips. Reserve 1 strip for another use. Cut each remaining strip into 3 squares for a total of 6. Place a square in each muffin cup, pressing into bottom and up sides and leaving corners pointing up. Divide filling among cups. Fold pastry over filling, pressing corners together to meet in center.

Preheat oven to 400°. Beat remaining egg to blend in a small bowl. Brush pastry with egg wash (this will give the pastry a nice sheen). Bake until pastry is golden brown and puffed, about 25 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack; let puffs cool in pan for 10 minutes. Run a sharp paring knife around pan edges to loosen; turn out puffs onto rack to cool slightly before serving.

For a printer-friendly version of this recipe, please click here: Spinach Puffs

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If you are a parent – have you ever tried to get your kids to eat their vegetables? Better question, besides my sister-in-law, do any of your kids actually like to eat vegetables? I was shocked to hear that my nephew loves Brussel sprouts, and will pretty much eat anything his mother makes him (ok, maybe it is because she is such a great cook, but still). I consider myself a decent cook – and if I can get my girls to eat a vegetable, it is a very good day. Years ago I found a recipe for these Spinach Bites – every time I would make them, they would be gone in an instant. I decided to make them as an experiment – my older daughter has never liked spinach – but she helped me make these – and when they were ready – she ate 4!! She loved them.

These are so easy to make, and are perfect to bring for a pot-luck, or as an appetizer for a dinner party. I like them plain, but they are also very good dipped in a honey-mustard sauce.

I made these the easy way using some short-cuts based on what I had in the house, but you can definitely make these with all fresh ingredients. Use 10 oz. of fresh spinach – first saute 1 cup of chopped onions until soft, add 2 cloves of garlic, then the chopped spinach and 1/2 tsp of salt. Instead of prepared stuffing mix, use 2 cups of small dried bread cubes and substitute chicken broth for the water.

Ingredients

1/2 cup hot water

2 T butter

2 cups prepared stuffing (like Stove Top)

10 oz. frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained

2 eggs, slight beaten

1/4 cup parmesan cheese

1/8 tsp ground nutmeg

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix water and butter in a medium bowl. Stir to melt butter. Stir in stuffing, spinach, cheese, eggs and nutmeg. Form into 1 inch balls and place on a cookie sheet sprayed with cooking spray. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until firm. Serve with honey mustard if desired. Makes about 3 dozen.

For a printer-friendly version of this recipe, click here: Spinach Bites